Earlier today Maske told you about Jon Stewart handing over the reigns of the Daily Show to John Oliver last night. And while that was certainly momentous, it overshadowed what I thought was one of the funniest bits the show has done in a while: its “expose” on New York’s “Citi Bike” program, a bike-sharing initiative modeled after similar efforts in some European cities. The program has sparked heated debates among New Yorkers — most seem to love it or hate it with little gray area in between. Stewart, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy ridiculing both sides last night.
“We have basically imported Europe’s most boring idea,” he joked. “Hey, I’ve got a f*cking idea: why don’t you keep your f*cking Louvre and your progressive attitude toward sexual freedom. Just give me your f*cking bikes! That’s what we want!” He added, “the idea of New Yorkers sharing anything—except for sexually transmitted diseases—is whackadoo.”
Stewart also took some shots at Citi Bike opponents, like WSJ’s Dorothy Rabinowitz, who’s convinced that the program inches America closer toward totalitarianism.
“They’re just f*cking bikes. Slow down, Lady Hungers Games — or should I say Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial board member of The Wall Street Journal.”
Here’s part one…
And here’s part two…
